221 Exotic Birds Encyclopedia

The Phalacrocoracidae (scientific name) or cormorant is found along the coastline and rocky shores of the UK. There are various species within this family, and subsequently their size varies from 18 inches to 40 inches in length. With its long neck and bare colourful facial skin, this bird has a very primitive look. Most of […]

The Phoenicopterus (scientific name) is a genus comprising of flamingos. Out of the 6 species of flamingos, four are found in America and two are Old World birds. Approximately 42 inches in height, a flamingo has pinkish-reddish body plumage. The legs are long and stilt-like and it enjoys standing on one leg with the other

The Struthio camelus (scientific name) or ostrich is native to Africa. 6.0-9.5 feet in height, these large flightless birds have mostly black plumage (grey in females). The primaries and tail feathers are white. It has long feet and a long thin neck, which is nearly bare excepting for a thin layer of down which is

The Bombycilla (scientific name) genus of birds is comprised of three species known as waxwing which has a cosmopolitan distribution and visible in the UK, in winters. 7-8 inches in length, it is known for its silky soft plumage, pointed wings and short legs. The overall plumage is mainly brown, with a black line that

The Cicinnurus respublica (scientific name) or Wilson’s bird-of-paradise is found on the hill in the rainforests of Waigeo and Batanta Islands of Indonesia. 8.3 inches in length, this bird is clearly visible and identifiable because of its plumage. The head is naked light electric blue with a double cross pattern. The neck has a yellow

The Gallus gallus domesticus (scientific name) or Polish chicken is found in Europe. This breed’s unique characteristic is the crest of feathers. It is known for the ‘V’ shaped comb, wattles and earlobes. The wattles are usually bright red and ear lobes are white. Various species come in a variety of colours, but all of

The Chrysolophus amherstiae (scientific name) or Lady Amherst’s pheasant is endemic to South-Western China and Mayanmar. 39-47 inches in length, this bird has a very long tail, which almost accounts for 30 inches of its total length. The male has black-silver feathers on the head and neck, which resemble a head-gear. The crown is red,

The Tachyphonus cristatus (scientific name) or flame-crested tanager is found in tropical moist lowland forests and dry shrublands of South America, from Bolivia and Brazil to French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. 5.9 inches in length, the overall plumage is glossy black, excepting the yellow-orange coloured crest it has on its head, which looks

The Ocreatus underwoodii (scientific name) or booted racket-tail hummingbird is endemic to South America, specifically Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. 2.9 inches in length, this hummingbird is distinguishable from the others because of its tail feathers. The upperparts are golden-green in colour; the throat and breast are iridescent emerald green, and legs are feathered

The Rhegmatorhina melanosticta (scientific name) or hairy-crested antbird is found in tropical moist lowland forests of South America, specifically Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. 5.9 inches in length, this bird is quite dramatic-looking. Overall plumage is brown in colour, with a bushy grey crest, black face and the orbital skin which is pale blue

The Aglaeactis Pamela (scientific name) or black-hooded sunbeam is found only in the tropical moist and high altitude forests of Bolivia. At 5.1 inches in length, these birds are relatively large in size for hummingbirds. They have purplish-black plumage, while the tail is rufous, chest tufts are white and wings and lower back are glittering

The Recurvirostra andina (scientific name) or Andean avocet is found in areas above 3500 metres above the sea level in the Andes, South America. 17-19 inches in length, this bird has a white head, neck, chest, belly and rump. The wings and upperparts are black and the legs are thin, long and grey. The beak

The Sappho sparganura (scientific name) or red-tailed comet is found not only in woodlands, but also around human habitation in the Central Andes of Argentina and Bolivia. 8.6 inches in length, this bird is easily identifiable because of its tail. It has a long, metallic golden-red tail. The head and wing plumage is moss green,

The Ampelion rubrocristatus (scientific name) or red-crested cotinga is found in tropical moist forests, edges of the cloud-forests and heavily degraded forests of South America, specifically Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. 8.2 inches in length, this bird has grey plumage overall. The base of its beak is usually white and it also has a

The Ardeotis kori (scientific name) or kori bustard is found in open grasslands, plateaus, plains and arid scrublands of Africa. At 3.9 feet, this bulky bird is one of the largest flying birds in the world. The face and the neck are predominantly grey, and a black crest runs back from the crown. The upperparts